Student Success Network

Almost two years ago, NYC residents voted for and approved a proposal that added racial equity plans to the NYC Charter. Upon approval, the city's Office of Racial Equity was established, along with the Commission on Racial Equity (CORE). This year, CORE developed and shared draft community equity priorities to receive feedback from New Yorkers about what we need to thrive in this city. Yesterday, we had the pleasure of being joined by Michelle Bascome of Nonprofit Staten Island for a community conversation on CORE's draft priorities. It was an impactful discussion where folks were able to share their honest thoughts and questions. Thank you again, Michelle, for facilitating this much needed space and bringing more awareness to this work being done! If you are a NYC resident interested in learning more and offering feedback on the draft priorities, feel free to visit the following link: https://lnkd.in/djXW4yzd

Earlier this week, we gathered again with our Improvement Lab cohort focused on building strong student-adult relationships. Thank you to the Search Institute for teaching us about the science of developmental relationships and giving us a framework to guide our improvement efforts. Check out the framework here: https://lnkd.in/eAPhiayH

Where can you start in building your nonprofit's capacity for continuous improvement? That is what our Data Advisory Working Group (DAWG) grappled with yesterday - reviewing our draft self-assessment and sharing challenges and bright spots. Huge shout out and thank you to Alicia Wolcott Fofana for facilitating the discussion!

A few months ago, we met with a group of CBO and school leaders who felt like their work to build student-adult relationships was critical...but invisible. This fall, we'll launch an Improvement Lab with rising leaders from these schools. Read more on Improvement Labs here: https://bit.ly/ILab2024. Together, we will learn about what drives strong student-adult relationships, what makes them hard, and try out new ideas that we'll measure and study along the way. We know relationships are foundational for student success and have the power to change how youth see themselves, their schools, and their futures. We're excited to partner in this work with the Groundswell Network, as well as our new coach and co-facilitator, Nicole DeFino M.Ed. (https://lnkd.in/d8DHugGC)!

Yesterday, we hosted our first skill building session around engaging program alumni in authentic and culturally responsive focus groups. As an organization, we believe that the people closest to the problem are also closest to the solution, and that, of course, includes the youth we all serve. In this session, we explored what it means and looks like to meaningfully engage youth, while understanding that they are the expert of their own experiences and acknowledging their stories as valuable knowledge. Special shout out to our facilitators, Ali Holstein and Cecily Mitchell-Harper, LMSW-SIFI, for leading such an engaging session ✨ We're excited to learn more with our Network organizations as they take on focus groups over the next several weeks utilizing the toolkit we prepared! Stay tuned for more takeaways. #skillbuilding #continuousimprovement #focusgroups

Navigating the complexities of financial aid offers amidst #FAFSA changes can be challenging. Our latest blog provides valuable insights and practical tips for supporting students. Ensure they make informed college decisions! 📖🎓

🎓 Higher Ed + Community-Based Organizations - Forging Brighter Futures On Tuesday, June 11 from 9am-1pm at Barnard College, PASE will host one of our signature events: Connecting CBOs + Higher Ed - A College Fair and Forum. The event brings together college prep, access, and success staff from NYC-based CBOs alongside college and university reps - connections and collaborations that might be more vital than ever in today's higher ed landscape. Read a note from PASE's CEO, Alison O., about why these partnerships are particularly critical to youth success at this moment: https://lnkd.in/efYtC7zs CBOs - sign up to join the conversation: https://lnkd.in/erNgQYuH Colleges - reserve your spot to table by Wednesday, 5/29: https://lnkd.in/eXNxSuSn

We're excited to announce a new skill building opportunity for our Network organizations! In this two-part series starting on June 6, Network orgs will learn how to improve programming through engaging their program alumni. Additionally, by sharing our takeaways in discussion, our broader Network will collectively gain valuable insights from young alums that will inform how we define, measure, and support students in building competencies they need for their future. For more details on this skill building opportunity and the RSVP form to join us on June 6th, click here: https://lnkd.in/eYp3x9Vs This opportunity is for Network organizations and space is limited, so if this sounds like the right opportunity for you and your org, sign up as soon as you can!

Join our team at SSN! We're hiring for a new position, Manager, Learning and Improvement. Click on the link below to apply or share with folks in your own network!

We're really excited about this new Career Directory for youth from New Visions! This will empower NYC students and the adults who support them to find cost-effective or free postsecondary Career Training Programs, including training, certifications, internships, support services, and job placement assistance. The Directory includes options for youth without a HS diploma or equivalency and is focused predominantly on programs serving youth ages 17-21. This tool and the upcoming launch sessions are a great opportunity to build strategy and capacity around navigating postsecondary transitions. We hope to see you there!